618 Forestry Quarterly 



countries, Australia, Himalayas, Persia, Pacific Coast of North 

 America, Mexico and the Andes. Over 140 species of eucalyptus 

 have been tried and probably well up to 300 species in all from 

 different regions. 



The trials are by no means complete, the different combina- 

 tions of species, soil, climate and exposure have been by no means 

 exhausted. The sketchy manner in which early records were 

 kept reduces the value of many of the experiments. Only re- 

 cently have systematic studies of past work been undertaken in 

 such a manner as to contribute the maximum of experience. 

 Sufficient has been learned, however, to confirm the Forest Service 

 in the belief, that, although failures may yet be expected, the 

 commercial success of many species has been established. There 

 are in existence now about 64,000 acres of forest plantations, a 

 large area of these consists of plantations of 100 acres to 200 or 300 

 acres each, containing a large nimiber of plots of different species. 

 These small nuclei, while they have been of great experimental 

 value in demonstrating to the public that trees will grow, and in 

 determining the useful limits of exotic species, cannot be accounted 

 of much commercial value. Many of these plots are also so situated 

 that the stumpage value will be depreciated by transportation 

 costs. 



The aim of the Forest Service now is to plant about 10,000 acres 

 per year. Experimental work will still be necessary but planting 

 will in the main be confined to the species already proved satis- 

 factory. The location of the plantations is a serious problem, so 

 as to secure rainfall, productive soil and accessibility. Planta- 

 tions will chiefly be upon agricultural land near railroads, within 

 200 miles from the Coast. Each plantation up to the present has 

 contained a great number of species, sometimes 100 or more, each 

 in a small, pure block. Hereafter, plantations are likely to con- 

 sist of few species. The area for economical administration will 

 be about 5,000 acres at each planting station. 



Records furnished by early plantations, as well as the excellent 

 start made by the more recent Forest Department plantations, 

 show that extremely rapid growth may be expected from many of 

 the exotic species in South Africa. Several of the pines thrive 

 exceedingly well in the winter rainfall region of the Cape. P. 

 insignis in this district reproduces naturally in profusion and is 

 spreading beyond its original areas. P. pinaster and canariensis 



